Click on Desktop to open Finder window

[ferrarr]

I seem to have forgotten how to enable this action. It was happening since I got this new MBP, and I still haven't figured it out yet? The only way to get a Finder window to open, is to click on the Finder icon in the Dock. I've been through Settings many times, but I'm unsure which option to enable/disable? I know it has nothing to do with "Click wallpaper to reveal desktop". All suggestions welcome. Thanks for your help. MBP/macOS was just updated overnight.

 

[pm-r]

I seem to have forgotten how to enable this action. It was happening since I got this new MBP, and I still haven't figured it out yet?

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On a Mac, clicking on the desktop does not automatically open a Finder window; instead, it simply displays the desktop itself, unless you have specifically changed your system settings to enable this behavior in newer macOS versions like Sonoma where clicking the desktop might reveal widgets and shortcuts.

Maybe you could elaborate a bit further on what you used to do and what you were clicking on. Maybe there was an item on your desktop that you were actually clicking on that was already selected.



- Patrick
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[ferrarr]

Thanks for responding Patrick.

I'll be working in an app, ie Safari, Excel, Mail or any app, then I click on the Desktop so I can use command + N to open a new Finder window. Since I goth this MBP, when I click on the desktop, nothing happens at all.

 

[MacInWin]

Thanks for responding Patrick.

I'll be working in an app, ie Safari, Excel, Mail or any app, then I click on the Desktop so I can use command + N to open a new Finder window. Since I goth this MBP, when I click on the desktop, nothing happens at all.

Just tried it and it works as advertised. I clicked on the Desktop behind my Safari window, then CMD-N and a Finder window opened. Nothing to set, it just worked.

 

[ferrarr]

Just tried it and it works as advertised. I clicked on the Desktop behind my Safari window, then CMD-N and a Finder window opened. Nothing to set, it just worked.

I know it works. I just can't find which Setting I changed to disable it. I used to have another account on this machine and it worked, but I deleted that account a while ago. I was hoping someone here would know, so I wouldn't have to set up a new account, then go through all the Settings to figure out which Setting it is?

 

[MacInWin]

It was happening since I got this new MBP, and I still haven't figured it out yet?

Sorry, I read that as this is a new machine and unchanged from defaults and not working. But now you say you did change it and cannot remember how? You don't need to set up a new account, just explore Settings to find where the CMD-N combination got reassigned.

 

[pm-r]

I know it works. I just can't find which Setting I changed to disable it.

What Michael West version are you running and what mouse are you using?

macOS 15.x Sequoia seems to have made some changes when clicking on the desktop and I was wondering if you were using a programmable Mouse and set one of its buttons to Launch or open something or even made a keyboard shortcut to do something when the desktop was clicked.

Otherwise, just clicking on the desktop as far as I know puts one's attention on the desktop and invokes the Finder to become the active application.

Other than that I can't think of anything that you might have changed.

Do you have a clone bootable system you could try booting from just to check the way things might have been if it hasn't been updated on the old options no longer functioning?

My iMac running macOS 15.x Sequoia works just as Jake described.




- Patrick
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[IWT]

@ferrarr

This what you are looking for I think:

• Open System Settings.
• Select "Keyboard".
• Click on "Keyboard Shortcuts".
• Find the "Finder" section in the sidebar.
• Select "New Finder Window".
• Change the keyboard shortcut to a different combination or uncheck the box to disable it.

Ian

 

[RadDave]

Just tried it and it works as advertised. I clicked on the Desktop behind my Safari window, then CMD-N and a Finder window opened. Nothing to set, it just worked.

Same here - did exactly as Jake - Dave

 

[MacInWin]

@ferrarr

This what you are looking for I think:

• Open System Settings.
• Select "Keyboard".
• Click on "Keyboard Shortcuts".
• Find the "Finder" section in the sidebar.
• Select "New Finder Window".
• Change the keyboard shortcut to a different combination or uncheck the box to disable it.

Ian

Ian, in my system there is no "Finder" in the sidebar. Did you leave out a step?

 

[Rod]

Just tried it and it works as advertised. I clicked on the Desktop behind my Safari window, then CMD-N and a Finder window opened. Nothing to set, it just worked.

Yep, works for me too. I'm guessing it's a default setting but following Ian's suggested path does not give me the expected results in macOS Sequoia 15.3.1
System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts takes you to here;

There is, as you can see, no "Finder" section in the sidebar. I have gone through all of the sidebar menu items and I cannot find Cmd + N listed anywhere or Cmd + F for the Finder Search window for that matter, a function which I use quite often.

Obviously File, Edit, View, Go, Window and Help all have Keyboard Shortcuts appointed to their menus and I cannot find anywhere to edit those.

ferrarr, does Cmd + N still appear in the File menu on your Menu Bar for New Finder Window?

 

[pm-r]

Yep, works for me too. I'm guessing it's a default setting but following Ian's suggested path does not give me the expected results in macOS Sequoia 15.3.1

Maybe it would help if ferrarr the OP could let us know what Mac OS version he is using.

​

It doesn't seem to be macOS 15 Sequoia I must say somehow has some other options turned off that aren't showing in the screenshot.




- Patrick
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[Rod]

After some reading on the topic it does seem that Apple have been fiddling with keyboard shortcuts in Sequoia especially as they relate to third party apps and that some keyboard commands are "built in" but you can reset them "To return all the shortcuts to their original key combinations, go to Keyboard settings, click Keyboard Shortcuts, then click Restore Defaults in the bottom-left corner."

 

[ferrarr]

I am using the most up to date Sequoia. I just updated last night when I went to bed.

The issue is not a shortcut issue, it is a click on the desktop does not activate Finder issue. I have go to the Dock to click on the Finder icon to open Finder.

When I am in any app and click on the desktop not one thing happens. If I do have a Finder window open then I can click on that, but if none are open to the dock I must go.

I hope that is a better explanation. I have been through System Settings so many times, I keep getting confused with what I've tried.

 

[MacInWin]

The shift of focus to the Desktop is very subtle when you click on it. Basically all that happens is the background gets just a bit brighter and whatever is in front of it gets a bit paler. But once the focus changes, the CMD-N works as I said. What CMD-N does, in general, is to open a NEW whatever the app in focus does. So CMD -N in Safari opens a new Safari window, for example. So, in Finder, it opens a new Finder window. And I'm running 15.3.1, too.

 

[ferrarr]

The click on the Desktop isn't being recognized. I can click on everything else and the click is recognized. Like I said, it worked in the other account.

I know it is a Setting somewhere, I just can't figure out which setting it is.

 

[Rod]

At the moment (since Ventura) clicking on the desktop simply launches Stage Manager. In my case it just shifts to the widgets view because I have Stage Manager turned off. I've never launched the Finder window just by left clicking on the desktop. As Jake says, you can shift "focus" to the desktop by clicking on it outside an current active window then Cmd + N will open a new Finder window. I think I always did it that way or via the Dock icon or the File Menu.

ferrarr, I don't doubt that you had it working that way but I've never used that function though it's apparent it did work as you describe. See; How to Use the Mac Finder Window
"You can get to the Finder by clicking anywhere on the desktop or selecting its icon from the Dock..."
That was from 2014 but even Brave's AI comes up with a similar result to a search for "How to launch the Finder Window by clicking on the Desktop in macOS";

Launch Finder from Desktop​

"To launch a Finder window by clicking on the desktop in macOS, simply click anywhere on the desktop or select the Finder icon from the Dock."

When I check the listed references for the above search result I find none are current. I have a feeling that macOS Sequoia removed that action/option.

 

[pm-r]

The click on the Desktop isn't being recognized. I can click on everything else and the click is recognized

When you are using your browser and it is not in full-screen mode, what happens to the browser window when you click on the visible part of the desktop?

Does your browser window disappear?

Maybe it's worthwhile zapping the PRAM and see if that will take your preferences back to a default setting. Maybe worth a try.



- Patrick
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[pm-r]

I have a feeling that macOS Sequoia removed that action/option.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they did such a thing as a lot of small features from other applications that I used to use have certainly disappeared or have been moved to somewhere where they have become absolutely useless.



- Patrick
=======

 

[MacInWin]

When you are using your browser and it is not in full-screen mode, what happens to the browser window when you click on the visible part of the desktop?

Does your browser window disappear?

Maybe it's worthwhile zapping the PRAM and see if that will take your preferences back to a default setting. Maybe worth a try.



- Patrick
=======

It doesn't do that Patrick. The open window is still open, just goes a bit dark and the desktop brightens. The CMD-N then opens a new window with Finder in it on top of the browser.